- Air Flights
Major airlines fly into Cape Town and Johannesburg on a daily basis. You won’t get cheaper fares by booking them in Southern Africa so you may as well book them from wherever you are/live.
- Baz Bus Hop on Hop off
The Baz Bus is a hop-on, hop-off backpackers bus in South Africa. It’s an easy way to get from A to B and a fun way to meet other travellers. They drop you at your backpacking hostel door.
- Buy back Car Companies
Buy a car here for your journey through Southern Africa and save up to 60% in rental fees!
- Car Hire South Africa
There are a number of cheap car hire operators in South Africa. All of the cities in South Africa have car hire branches.
- Long distance trains
Southern Africa does not have a great railroad infrastructure so travelling by train is fairly restrictive (but fun nonetheless).
- Minibus taxis
Without doubt, the cheapest way to travel is to use local black transport systems or “minibus taxis”. They require nerves of steel but are definitely the most efficient way to get around pretty much anywhere in South Africa.
Long Distance Buses
There are a number of long distance buses including Translux, Intercape, Greyhound and the Baz Bus (which is the only real backpacker bus).
Transport
- Mainliner bus services
These are usually air-conditioned “luxury buses” which have on-board toilets and a hostess who occasionally offers you a sugary drink or blanket. “Chicken (pack ‘em and stack ‘em) busses” are cheaper, less spacious, more crowded, more likely to be fun (if you have a sense of humour) and more likely to break down. In some areas they may be the only bus service and are unlikely to have a strict timetable.
- SA Experience Tours and Travel
Explore off the beaten track., adventuring as you go. They take you there, drop you off and pick you up again.
Feeling lucky?(randomly selected service providers from all regions)
Lying on the border of Mozambique high in the mountains, this is a community owned camp with good facilities.
(Eastern Swaziland,Swaziland)
You should put AroundAboutCars on speeddial.
(Nelspruit,Mpumalanga)
Nature's Way backpackers in Mtunzini borders on the Siyayi Coastal Park. It is 132km north of Durban.
(Mtunzini,Zululand)
Be king of the hill for a day or three.
(Bethlehem,Free State)
Adventure and cultural tours in Mozambique, Kruger and Botswana.
(Malkerns,Swaziland)
This Drakensberg backpacking hostel is surrounded by indigenous gardens and beautiful mountains.
(Northern Drakensberg,Drakensberg Backpacker Hostels)
This Swaziland based Volunteer group offers real budget safaris, trips to Mozambique and volunteeer opportunities. The best in Swaziland.
(Manzini,)
Mad about helicopters? This place is for you.
(Port Elizabeth,Sunshine Coast)
This Stellenbosch backpackers is an easy going place in the centre of Stellenbosch with lots of upbeat energy.
(Stellenbosch,Wine Region)
Daytrippers offers a wonderful way to explore the Cape peninsula and winelands by bicycle.
(Cape Town City Centre,Cape Town)
